Best Laptop Cooling Pads to Protect Your Machine

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 25, 2023
Whether you are a gamer or just an ordinary office user, there is always a problem of a laptop overheating. Improper use of a laptop ...Read more
PROS
A whisper-quiet operation of this cooling pad will not wake your soulmate if you use a laptop at night.
CONS
Doesn't feature non-slip pads to prevent a laptop from sliding around.
OUR VERDICT
The unique aerodynamic design of the gaming laptop cooling pad provides maximum cooling even under heavy loads.
detailed parameters
LAPTOP DIAGONAL
Up to 17 inches
MATERIAL
Plastic, Metal mesh, Rubber
NUMBER OF FANS
1
MAX FAN SPEED
500 ~ 850 (±15%) RPM
USABILITY AND EXTRAS
Height adjustment studs, Easy cable management, Blue LED light
WEIGHT
1.98 lbs
PROS

Thanks to 6 adjustable height settings, you can play your favorite games or watch movies at the most convenient angle.

CONS

The USB cable is rather short.

OUR VERDICT

This is a sturdy and reliable laptop cooling pad with customizable fan modes. The model is ultra-quiet and will not disturb you even if you are sleeping.

detailed parameters
LAPTOP DIAGONAL

Up to 17 inches 

MATERIAL

Plastic, Metal mesh

NUMBER OF FANS

5

MAX FAN SPEED

1000 (+/-10%) RPM; 
2000 (+/-10%) RPM

USABILITY AND EXTRAS

Independent control of only 1 fan, 4 fans, or all 5 at once, Blue LEDs, Two stoppers on the front, Dual USB hub, 6 adjustable height settings

WEIGHT

2.5 lbs

PROS
Ultra-thin and lightweight cooling pad features a convenient On/Off switch, hence there is no need to plug/unplug it before and after each use.
CONS
Some users find the usb port has poor quality.
OUR VERDICT
The cooling pad can be placed on any surface either flat or tilted and will surely cool down even a high-performing laptop.
detailed parameters
LAPTOP DIAGONAL
Up to 17 inches
MATERIAL
Plastic, Metal mesh
NUMBER OF FANS
3
MAX FAN SPEED
1100 (±18%) RPM
USABILITY AND EXTRAS
Blue LED lights, Height adjustment feet
WEIGHT
1.6 lbs
PROS
The ability to control the speed of each set of fans is perfect for keeping the hottest spots of a laptop cool.
CONS
Has a slight plastic smell.
OUR VERDICT
The futuristic design of the cooler would be in a harmony with any gaming laptop exterior appearance.
detailed parameters
LAPTOP DIAGONAL
Up to 17 inches
MATERIAL
Plastic, Metal mesh
NUMBER OF FANS
4
MAX FAN SPEED
1200 (±10%) RPM
USABILITY AND EXTRAS
2 anti-skid arms, 2 height adjustment feet, Blue LED lights
WEIGHT
2.3 lbs
PROS
The most powerful fans for efficient cooling. LED power light indicates whether a laptop cooling stand is on or off.
CONS
This model is not compact for travel.
OUR VERDICT
Owing to a formidable power, this pad is able to cool down even the high-performance laptops. Thus, it is perfect for gaming and high utility use.
detailed parameters
LAPTOP DIAGONAL
Up to 18 inches
MATERIAL
Aluminum alloy, Plastic, Elastomer feet
NUMBER OF FANS
3
MAX FAN SPEED
3000 RPM
USABILITY AND EXTRAS
Non-skid elastomer feet
WEIGHT
2.47 lbs

Size and Material

Cooler Master NotePal X3 is made with a plastic casing and a metal mesh panel. The combination of these 2 materials shows outstanding aerodynamic qualities of the cooler's design and ensures maximal airflow to your laptop. NotePal X3 is specially designed for 15-17-inches gaming laptops, it is able to dissipate the extreme heat the gaming laptops create. Additionally, the laptop cooling stand has neon blue LEDs that provide a blue glow underneath a laptop, making a gaming process even more spellbinding.

Performance

This 17-inch laptop cooling pad is equipped with one fan with the maximal speed of 850 RPM. The 200 mm fan is able to take care of overheating issues any laptop has. What is important, the aerodynamic design of a cooling pad enhances cooling performance by up to 20% and helps the fan to circulate excess heat from a laptop. And still, regardless such a powerful fan, the cooler keeps the noise level within 16-23 dBA. These are quite great figures for the coolers of this class.

Usability and Extras

The front vent on the cooler's casing makes the Cooler Master NotePal X3 stand out among the competitors. It provides your hands with a light breeze, thus keeping them cool and dry while you're playing. Additionally, there are 2 height settings for comfortable viewing, flat and tilted, so you can adjust the angle you are most comfortable with. As the manufacturer claims, Cooler Master NotePal X3 is ergonomically designed for a better viewing angle to prevent straining your neck, back, and wrist. Therefore, this gaming laptop cooling pad is perfect for long periods of use.
Last updated price $155.85
Stock In stock
ASIN B0079T2KHG

VIDEO

Size and Material

The Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad is manufactured with good materials and with a truly contemporary strategy. Indeed, this model combines look, style, quality, design, and, importantly, durability. Having quite a light (1145g/2.5 lbs) weight yet strong construction with a metal mesh front, this cooling pad for laptops will serve you faithfully and loyally. The dimensions of this device are 380x300x35mm. This cooler is large enough to be suitable for 12"–17" laptops and offers 5 inbuilt fans—one big and four smaller. Such design is considered to bring more uniform cooling.

Performance

Despite the fact that there are as many as five fans, they operate really quietly. No annoying noise will interfere with your business and you will be able to play or work in the pleasant environment. Moreover, thanks to the independent control, you can choose the mode for the fans' work. You can turn on only the biggest fan, four small fans, or all of them together. Five spinning fans are capable of providing up to 2000 RPM. In addition, the fans have blue LEDs which make the appearance of this model more sophisticated.

This laptop cooling pad is powered by USB and does not require any external power supply or special software installation. So, you just need to plug in the USB and you are ready to play!

Usability and Extras

Owing to the dual USB hub, you will have an opportunity to connect several USB devices. It makes the cooler much better in terms of usability. 6 adjustable height settings is a brilliant idea for creating an angle as comfortable as possible. It is essential if you spend a lot of time at your laptop playing games or working. This cooling pad is equipped with two special stoppers, so your valuable laptop will not fall off. It can also double as a desktop stand. Nice set of functions for such a budget-friendly price, isn`t it?

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $27.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01469DJLM

Size and Material

Havit HV-F2056 cooling pad is quite a compact model suitable for 15.6-inch to 17-inch laptops. The whole pad's construction consists of a plastic frame and a metal mesh surface. The combination of these 2 materials helps cool down your laptop by distributing airflow from the fans throughout the pad's surface. Moreover, it weighs only 1.5 lbs, thus you can easily take the pad with you on your business trip or vacation.

Performance

Havit cooling pad is equipped with 3 large 110 mm fans with the maximal speed of 1100 RPM. The fans produce a decent amount of air (65 CFM) and cool down your laptop effectively without making any noise. Unfortunately, this model doesn't feature adjustable fans speed but is still able to dissipate the airflow evenly through a laptop's bottom. Be sure that Havit cooling pad will cool down even the high-performing device.

Usability and Extras

For your convenience, the cooling pad offers 2 adjustable height settings (flat and tilted). Therefore, you can place the cooling pad on your lap comfortably or unfold the feet and place a laptop on a desk. The four textured pads at the bottom of the unit prevent it from sliding even on the glass surface. Fortunately, this USB-powered model features one additional port, hence you can connect some peripherals while using the cooling pad. You will always be aware of the pad's power status, as it is designed with blue LED lights that provide a blue glow under your laptop.
Last updated price $29.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00NNMB3KS

VIDEO

Size and Material

The cooling pad's frame is made of a plastic cover and a metal mesh surface. Together, they make this Tree New Bee Cooling Pad a slim, portable, and lightweight model. Still, what is important, it draws heat away from your laptop rather efficiently. The design of the gaming laptop cooling pad is really stylish, it attracts everyone thanks to the black-themed body and futuristic shape. Tree New Bee cooler is USB-powered and suitable for 15.6-inch and 17-inch laptops.

Performance

Tree New Bee cooling pad is designed with 4 fans that spin at 1200 RPM. This is quite enough to keep your laptop cool and reduce crashes. The fans are super quiet and will not annoy you during the operation. Tree New Bee cooling pad features 2 fan speed dials that give you an ability to control each set of fans. Thus, you can cool down the hottest spots on your laptop with ease and prolong its service life. This model offers an outstanding performance for quite an affordable price.

Usability and Extras

This 17-inch laptop cooling pad comes with an extra USB port. A rather convenient feature as the device itself is powered by USB. This way, you get an additional interface for connecting other devices. The cooler has 2 height adjustment feet that allow you to elevate a laptop for a better viewing angle. And to make it even more convenient, Tree New Bee cooling pad is designed with 2 anti-skid arms that prevent your laptop from sliding when the cooler is tilted.
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B016PMVM7Q

Size and Material

Targus laptop cooling pad is designed for 18-inch high-performance laptops. This cooling pad has a sleek and plain design. The base of the cooler is made of high-grade, durable plastic and features non-skid elastomer feet that provide a stable grip. The surface of a cooling pad is made of perforated aluminum alloy mesh. Such construction is meant to improve heat diffusion when you're using a laptop. Additionally, it weighs only 2.47 lbs, so you can easily take Targus laptop cooling pad with you wherever you go.

Performance

This model is designed with HydroDynamic triple fan system. But the unique feature of Targus HD3 is that the fans are made with bearings. The bearings ensure cooler's durability and are valued for prolonged lifespan compared to the models without this feature. The maximal speed of fans is about 3000 RPM, that is quite enough to cool down even the most high-performing laptop. Additionally, the advanced straighteners distribute airflow directly to the hottest spots of a laptop for further efficiency.

Usability and Extras

Targus laptop cooling pad is the perfect model for gaming and highly intensive use. It allows you to preset one of the 3 available fan's speed as a need arises. And the dial for speed adjusting is as convenient as possible. You can control the cooling level by keeping your eye on a display. For your convenience, the cooler is designed with an LED power indicator light that will show you whether the cooler is on or off. If you use your laptop on a desk or other slippery surface, this very cooler would suit you best as it features elastomer feet that provide excellent stability.
Last updated price $90.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B003ZSHKJ8

VIDEO

What Is a Laptop Cooling Pad?

Nowadays, many people who own a laptop use it sitting on the floor, lying in bed or simply placing the device on their lap or right on a blanket. But the cooling system of a laptop is not able to withstand long hours of improper use. The air cannot flow freely around the laptop and thus the device overheats. In fact, the laptop gets hot even on a desk, causing damage to a device's performance. Eventually, this problem may lead to a system failure. So, to prolong a laptop service life and avoid overheating, use a laptop cooling pad. These pads are designed with special cooling fans that either suck hot air away from the system or blow cool air to it and thus protect the insides of a laptop from heat damage. Additionally, a cooling pad for laptop maintains the device temperature within reasonable limits. Now you don't have to turn a laptop off and wait till it cools down. With a cooling pad, you can freely place your laptop literally anywhere you want and work with it as long as you need.

But if you only need a stable platform for your laptop, you should definitely look through our review on the best laptop desks.

What Features to Compare

Size and Material

Before purchasing a cooling pad, you should, first of all, make sure that it fits the size of a laptop you own. This parameter is measured in the maximal laptop diagonal a model supports. A cooling pad shouldn't be too small or too big as it will not be able to cool your laptop correctly and the machine will still run hot. So you should opt for a cooling pad that maximally conforms to a size of your laptop. Generally, cooling pads are made of plastic, metal, or combination of both. Plastic laptop cooling pads are quite inexpensive, lightweight and have poor thermal conductivity. These models cannot contend with metal ones for durability and they are not so sturdy. Additionally, the metal models boast higher capacity in heat conducting and thus cool down your laptop more effectively that the plastic cooling pads. To eliminate the problem of choosing between metal and plastic pads, the manufacturers offer models with metal mesh surface and plastic base. Such cooling pads are valued for their lightweight design, durability, and great results in heat conducting.

Performance

The most important features that impact a cooling pad's performance are the number of integrated fans and their power. Because these are the fans which effectively cool down a laptop. So, there are cooling pads with one big built-in fan in a center of a pad, while others feature several fans located throughout the pad's surface. It should be noted that smaller fans show more power in comparison with bigger fans. The reason for this is that the small fans require more power to spin a lot faster to generate the same amount of air the bigger fans provide. And it goes without saying that the size of a fan is not a crucial feature when choosing a cooling pad. The important parameter is the right location of fans inside a cooling pad. So, before you opt for a cooler, determine the hottest spots on your laptop and compare their location with the fans' arrangement. This way, you will achieve better results in keeping your laptop cool. But don't forget that the number of fans and power indexes affect the noise level of a cooling pad. Generally, most coolers show the noise level of about 24 dBA and work rather quietly. Laptop cooling pads operate from different power sources. The most widespread are USB-powered models. They require connection to your laptop to start operation. But there are also coolers powered by a headphone plug, by the mains, and even battery-operated pads.

Usability and Extras

It is preferable for a cooling pad for laptop to offer some extra features that are meant to provide a user with maximal usability. Hence, additional USB ports on a cooler are often demanded by people who connect lots of peripheral units to a laptop. Some cooling pads offer different fan speeds and adjustable height for you to fix the laptop at the appropriate viewing angle. So, if you prefer using a laptop on a desk you should definitely opt for a model with height adjustment. But  for placing a laptop in bed it is preferable to look for a cooling pad with raised fans as the uneven and soft surfaces interfere with the air flow. Some cooling pads are designed with non-skid feet and/or ledges. The former provide the cooler pad with stability while the latter protect the laptop from falling off. Additionally, there are models designed with a special cable storage area in the bottom of a cooler to keep your USB cable away when you are not using it.

Sources:

  1. Arpit Jain Insight - How Laptop Cooling Pad works, EngineersGarage.
  2. Laptop cooler, Wikipedia. September 30, 2017.
  3. Rahil Bhagat Do You Really Need A Laptop CoolerForbes. July 31, 2016.
  4. Patrick Lucas Austin What to Look for When Choosing a Laptop Cooler, Lifehacker. June 6, 2017.
  5. Upgrade Your Laptop Cooling Pad, Instructables.
  6. Ravindra Yadav How to Choose the Best Cooling Pad for Your Laptop, Tech Arrival. October 1, 2017.
  7. Dan Stone The Advantages of a Cooler Fan for a Laptop Dan Stone, Sciencing.com. April 25, 2017.
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